How do I connect an SSD to my Kogan Atlas?

If you have purchased a Kogan Atlas model which allows for the installation of an M.2 drive, it can support SSDs with the following specifications:

M.2 Specification

Most Atlas devices support lengths 2242, 2260 and 2280, however, you should refer to the manual for your specific revision for confirmation

B-key or M+B Key

Maximum size of 512GB

SATA Interface (Not NVMe)

If your SSD matches the above specifications, it should be "plug-and-play" in your Kogan Atlas.

To install your SSD:

Shut down the unit.

Unplug the power cable and remove the battery.

Unscrew the SSD slot located on the bottom of your Kogan Atlas, and insert the SSD, fixed in place with the small screw fixed in the bridge in the SSD slot.

Make sure that you align the pins of your unit correctly.

The unit should slide into place, and will not need to be forced.

It is worth noting that some Atlas devices, such as the "KALAP13C300VA" the SSD should be installed with the label not showing, and instead, the circuit board showing. This is shown as "Facing Upwards" in the below diagram.

The orientation can be confirmed by viewing the number of pins on your SSD. For Atlas model "KALAP13C300VA", the SSD should be installed with the label facing down, and the SSD should have four and five pins on facing upwards. For Atlas's where the label should be showing, there should be six and five pins facing up respectively.

If you are installing a 2280 sized drive, you will need to adjust the tray:

Your unit may have a clip, which will need to be physically moved to support the drive properly:

In the below example, a 2280 drive is installed:

Once the SSD has been inserted, reattach the cover and power on the Kogan Atlas. If you want the Atlas to boot directly from the SSD, a detailed explanation on this process is available on Microsoft's website here.

You will need to format your SSD before use. This can be completed using the Windows Disk Management Tool.

If the laptop fails to power on or if the Atlas does not recognise the SSD, the most common causes are:

The SSD is inserted upside down

The SSD is not a SATA drive, or it is larger than 512GB

The SSD is faulty or damaged

Please confirm that the specifications of your SSD match the supported specifications outlined at the top of this article. If the specifications match, please try reinserting the SSD in the Kogan Atlas flipped to the opposite orientation.

Please note: Kogan Atlas notebooks/2-in-1s are only compatible with M.2 SSD drives with B-key or B+M-key format; NVMe/PCIe drives are not supported.

If you experience any issues after attempting the above troubleshooting, please feel free to contact our Support Team via your Dick Smith account including any troubleshooting steps that you have already requested as well as the SSD model you are using.